Ages on Census Records

Elizabetha

Hi
I know it is common for ages to be wrong on census records when it concerns older people and quite often they round up or down their ages but what about younger people. ie. a 30 year old female being recorded as a 26 year old or a 28 year old male being recorded as a 24 year old. Their 67 year old mother ( who is recorded as being 70) is down as Head of Family so maybe she just forgot what age her children where, she did have 12 after all!!

Any thoughts on this apprieciated.....

RGM

Elizabetha wrote: »

Hi
I know it is common for ages to be wrong on census records when it concerns older people and quite often they round up or down their ages but what about younger people. ie. a 30 year old female being recorded as a 26 year old or a 28 year old male being recorded as a 24 year old. Their 67 year old mother ( who is recorded as being 70) is down as Head of Family so maybe she just forgot what age her children where, she did have 12 after all!!

Any thoughts on this apprieciated.....

Absolutely possible. Definitely still make sure you're convinced it's the same family, but ages could easily be four years off.

shanew

even when the ages of the adults are incorrect, often the details for the younger children, i.e. under 10, will be more accurate...


S.